Korean Job Discussion Forums

RyanInKorea · Joined: 17 Jan 2008

Hi, I have been in Korea for a little over six weeks and I would like to get into something while I am here. I am interested in joining something physical, like Taekwondo or Hapkido, but Kumdo has really caught my eye. Quick searches online have produced a few good Korean sites, but not much in English. Could anyone point me in the right direction?

Many thanks for any help,
Ryan

Atavistic · Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 8:55 pm Post subject:

Help us out man, the country is big and you live in....?

fusionbarnone · Joined: 31 May 2004

Yeah, Kumdo's good. And good on you for getting into something.

I'm stateside and I've got three swords and a wall of different colored belts and uniforms in my home gym.

Once tried to do both Tae kwon do and kumdo and although they were at different times, instructors tend to get a little possessive but you'll really kill two birds with the proverbial one stone if you're in a one-horse town if you opt to do things this way.

I've trained with two Kumdo instructors. The second one promised to train and grade(he was the district board member for both associations) me in Black Belts in both Uedo(like Judo) and Kumdo, in one year in exchange for English conversation(he was a great guy; we'd take turns buying coffee from the scooter girls. He'd buy then I'd buy the next time). Therefore , everything can be flexible in terms of exchange and time. This is Korean culture and "Korean can do" through connections at it's best.

You could also work out an arrangement in which you are to grade for black in under a year in any of the arts. The fastest grading I've ever had was white belt to black in two months. That is , provided you can put in the time(one hours a day, five days a week minimum)memorizing patterns can be confusing but instructors can "gift" you cds of the syllabus so you can practise at home).

Almost every foreigner(males/females) Ive met have/had held black belts in Korea prior to living in the ROK so, don't feel left out. Including many of my girlfriends(I'd get a dance and a "friendly" roundhouse kick which usually went to ground).

Have a good time and choose your school well.

exit86 · Joined: 17 May 2006

You would probably be interested in Hapkido then, since it deals with self-defense as well as weapons training. We have a weekend class
for adults in English in Hapkido near Jamsil station/Lotte World.
If you or anyone else is interested, please PM me.

RyanInKorea · Joined: 17 Jan 2008

So sorry, I live in the Nowon area of Seoul. Basically, north-west of the city. I don't mind travelling though. I appreciate the responces, some good stuff.

I have heard I could trade time for time or at least get a discount for me teaching.

Thanks again,
Ryan

Chris Kwon · Joined: 23 Jan 2008 Location: North Korea

Why would someone want a black belt in 2 months? Sounds like something you don't deserve.

Young FRANKenstein · Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 12:43 am Post subject:

If weapons are your bag, then kumdo is good... if you choose the correct kumdo.

daehan kumdo is the one with bamboo swords. it is the sport version of kumdo.

haedong kumdo is the one with a real sword, and they teach actual sword techniques. it not a sport.

Metsuke · Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Location: Seoul, South Korea

http://www.aikido.co.kr/

I'd suggest this.

TeeBee · Joined: 18 Oct 2007

Does anyone know if I can do Kumdo in Pocheon? Heading there at the end of the month.

greedy_bones · Joined: 01 Jul 2007 Location: not quite sure anymore

I know this is Korea, but....

Are there any Kung Fu Schools here? Prior to coming here, I studied something similar to Hung Gar, and I want to continue training the Chinese way. I tried Hapkido, but it had too many ridiculous jump kicks and other taekwondo-ish stuff. I'm a short guy, and the low stances of southern Kung Fu seem to fit me pretty well.

edit: btw, I'm in Bucheon, right outside of Seoul.

fusionbarnone · Joined: 31 May 2004

If the instructor has the official clout to make a grading official and is willing to give the student extra time, and if the student has a prior active background in Tae Kwon Do/martial arts etc, than it is possible.

In the West 1st level grading take between 3/4-7 years.

A commitment to training for one year isn't too big an ask as this is the usual grading time it seems for most waegooks in Korea that don't quit.

Atavistic · Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 1:51 pm Post subject:

xingyiman · Joined: 12 Jan 2006

bluelake · Joined: 01 Dec 2005

Although not physical in the way TKD or Hapkido are, you might like to consider goongdo (Korean traditional archery). Being in the Nowon area, you are near the Korea Military Academy; they have a Korean archery club (Hwarang Jeong). If you are interested, please PM me and I can put you in touch with a friend of mine there. Another club in the northern part of Seoul that is used to foreigners is Hwanghak Jeong, nearby Kyongbok Palace.

http://www.koreanarchery.org

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/goongdo

Mary-Jane · Joined: 22 Mar 2006

Hey there!

I've been training at the world haidong gumdo federation's headquarters in bundang for the last year. if you want I can get the location of a dojang in your area. nowon you say? is that the name of the city or the subway station itself?

Daehan kumdo is very similar to kendo in every respect. it's a martiala art, yes. but it really is fencing. the strategy and conditioning is excellent, the techniques are solid, and you spar a lot.

haidong gumdo focuses mostly on forms training, and then on cutting with real swords at the higher levels. it's quite flashy, but there's not a lot of application other than the cutting.

basically? it's like comparing wing-chun and performance wushu kung-fu.
similar names though, so watch out. ^_^

also, there are two federations of haidong gumdo--> Daehan or "World Haidong Gumdo Federation", and "Hanguk Haidong Gumdo Federation"

Curriculum's differ in minor details at the lower levels, and the black belt forms are completely different.

Further questions?